SOS Children's Villages International

‘𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?’   Millions of children around the world are separated from their families for reasons that can be prevented.    SOS Children’s Villages’ first ever Global Report on Children’s Care and Protection explains why and shows the way to a future in which every child grows up with the bonds they need to become their strongest selves. 🌟 Available now: https://lnkd.in/d78Sd2Jd Share the #ChildCareProtectionReport24 to join us in calling on governments and decision-makers for coordinated action. #InvestInCare #NoChildAlone #DayofCare

This week, we had the privilege of engaging with key officials from the European Commission to advocate for the promotion and protection of children’s rights in #EUpolicies.   Together with colleagues from the Child Rights Action Group, we met with Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, to discuss strong safeguards for children in migration. Key points included the importance of: ▪️ adequate care for all who are unaccompanied or separated, ▪️ enabling children and families to stay together, ▪️ ensuring children only return if it is in their best interest. We also highlighted the importance of improving online safety, tackling child sexual abuse, and supporting trafficking victims. Ensuring the perspectives of children are central to EU policies is vital, as is putting in place long-term, sustainable solutions for vulnerable children, including those impacted by the ongoing war in #Ukraine.   We also had the opportunity to meet with Mirzha de Manuel, cabinet member of Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Commissioner for Economy and Productivity. Our discussion focused on a child-rights-based approach to economic and social policies, including as part of the European Semester and the implementation of the Child Guarantee. We exchanged on the need for the EU to continue supporting the transition to family and community-based care. We also discussed meaningful participation of children in EU decision-making process and the importance to keep it high on the EU agenda, including through the upcoming Youth Policy Dialogues and the running of the EU Children’s Participation Platform.   #EUChildRights #EUChildProtection #ChildGuarantee #Childparticipation 📷 European Commission

📣 Research partner needed! “Applying Safe Behaviours“ is an EU co-funded project that aims to empower children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds to become active agents in creating safe environments for themselves and their peers. We are looking for a research partner to work with us on the second phase of the project planned for 2025-2027. 💡 You can find all the information and the contact details in this concept note: https://lnkd.in/dCKUiFeR

Thank you for this work towards a better future for children and young people, Bata Group! 💙

Three years of the full-scale war in Ukraine have brought immense suffering to children and their families. 2.9 million children are in need of humanitarian aid. 'We have experienced the disaster and felt the losses and trauma of this war from the very first day. It is all still here,' says Serhii Lukashov, director of SOS Children's Villages Ukraine.

Hundreds of hours of learning lost. Close to 660,000 deeply traumatized school-aged children unable to access education. Schools and universities in ruins. Depriving children and young people of their right to learning has a catastrophic effect on their mental health and future. SOS Children's Villages Palestine responds to the education crisis in #Gaza in temporary learning spaces for children displaced from their homes. 👇

This time in #VoicesofWellbeing, Sandra Agodenze, public health expert and researcher at War Child Alliance Uganda, explains how the stigma around mental health negatively impacts our societies. By reducing this stigma, we can create more supportive environments for all children and families. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/dkGQhNM4 💡 This podcast is an initiative of SOS Children’s Villages International's Global Programme Expert Group on #MHPSS. #EU4Health

'I used to struggle to care for my children. Now my burden has been lessened.' Ruth is a seamstress that cares and provides for four children despite living with a disability. Although she lost a leg in an accident while she was a child, she managed to get an education and master her craft. As part of SOS Children's Villages Zambia's family strengthening project, Ruth developed a business plan that turned into a prosperous clothing shop. The community-based project empowers parents in disadvantaged communities by facilitating local savings and loans groups, income-generating activities, and training in various skills. Investing in strong families means investing in the future of our communities. 💙 🚀

At #CSocD63, our United Nations Representative Sofía García García accepted the International Federation for Family Development 2025 award (#IFFDawards) on behalf of SOS Children's Villages International for our leadership at the #UN in advocating to prevent child family separation and promoting quality alternative care. She stressed that: 📣 When we come together to ask for the protection of the rights of children and caregivers at the UN, we are calling on policymakers to invest in people and societies. 📣 The families, caregivers, children and young people that have shared their expertise and experience at the UN are also the recipients of this award. 📣 We look forward to continuing the fight for #childrights and the work towards a more caring world.

An estimated 17,000 children were separated from their families by the war in Gaza. Facing the horrors of armed conflict without the protection of their loved ones meant another level of trauma. Reuniting children and young people with their families must be a top priority in the relief efforts. SOS Children's Villages Palestine has been on the ground continuously supporting family reunification and providing humanitarian aid and psychosocial support to children and families in Gaza. 📷 Mohammad AlBaba